I Couldn't Live Without My Directv Satellite System

Directv Satellite System allows viewers to choose from a huge variety of television programs, movies, music, sporting events, and much more. For the same price as your local cable station, Directv offers a larger variety of programming packages and options.

I have had both cable and Directv, and I find that Directv has always been a far superior value than cable. Packages offered by Directv range from a modest $30 starter package, to a whopping $100 all inclusive package. My package is $50.00 per month, and includes several extra stations, such as The Biography Channel, History International, The BBC, and Discovery Science Network. Customers can add on movie packages, such as HBO, Showtime or Starz for an additional charge.

A couple of myths about Directv include 1. You can't get local stations, and 2. Bad weather frequently interrupts reception. Local channels are available in most areas now. As for bad weather - I live in Maine. Bad weather is our middle name up here. I very rarely lose reception. The few times we have lost reception due to weather, it has been during summertime thunderstorms, and lasted about twenty minutes at most.

Recently Directv has begun offering DVR service, its version of TIVO. This service allows you to record and store up to one hundred hours of programming! That is like taping the entire nine seasons of Murder, She Wrote! There used to be a surcharge for DVR service, but recent program updates now offer the service as part of its standard programming packages. Directv also offers High Definition programming. To be honest, I don't really see any difference, but my husband loves it.

Another great feature of Directv is its movie-on-demand feature (otherwise known as pay-per-view). You can select from a huge variety of movies, from family flicks to R-rated thrillers. It's perfect...no having to go to the video store and no late fees!

Directv has introduced a new gaming lounge that will appeal to video game lovers, for $5.95 a month. As a parent, I wouldn't bother with this feature. As much as we love our TV, we do set limits for our kids.

You can pay your Directv bill online, so if you happen to be a bit...overdue, and your programming gets shut off (oops) you can hop online and pay it. Service will return immediately. You can also order movies online and change your programming with a click of the mouse.

The one drawback with Directv, in my humble opinion, is its customer service. The service is fine once you get to talk to a real person. When I had to call about problems with the satellite receiver (ours died recently), I spent a good twenty minutes going from one automated section of the customer service line to another. Then, when I finally talked to a human (at least I think she was human) I was told I would have to call another number! Luckily, technical issues are fewer and fewer as Directv improves its systems. Usually resetting the receiver (by unplugging it and plugging it back in) will cure a multitude of problems.

If you are in the market for a new cable company, I highly recommend Directv. You will never go back to cable!